Owen Githanga

Even when it felt like nothing more than a fantasy, Owen David Githanga always dreamed of being an accountant. He is now living his dream as a Certified Public Accountant in North Dakota, the journey to get there nothing short of miraculous in his eyes.

Raised in a small village on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya, Owen’s childhood was shaped by extreme poverty. While his single mom worked hard to support him and his two brothers, her income of $10 a month was simply not enough to make ends meet. Food was scarce, and lack of access to clean water cause frequent and significant health issues.

When he was 8 years old, Owen was invited to participate in a Compassion child development program at his local church, and everything changed. Through his sponsorship, he received nutritious food, clean water, clothing, shoes, education, and, most of all, hope.

After graduating high school, Owen was chosen for Compassion’s Leadership Development Program, which provided him a university scholarship and made him the first in his family to attend college.

After earning his Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Nairobi, he received a scholarship to North Dakota State University, where he graduated with a Master of Accountancy degree.

An energetic and captivating communicator, Owen speaks to congregations, college students, and youth groups about the challenges facing children growing up in poverty and the strategic ways each person can make an impact. He is passionate about evangelism and discipleship, and enjoys every opportunity to share the Gospel message through his personal story.

Owen lives in Fargo, North Dakota with his wife, Krystal, and son, Jerome.